NBA's Mike Bass: Pelicans Weren't Told They'd Be Fined for Sitting Anthony Davis

While the NBA indicated to the New Orleans Pelicans that Anthony Davis should play if healthy, there wasn't a threat of massive fine. 

NBA spokesman Mike Bass broke down the situation to Marc Stein of the New York Times:

"The NBA did not tell New Orleans that it would be fined $100,000 per game if Anthony Davis were held out for the remainder of season. The Pelicans were advised that the team had not identified a proper basis for making that determination at this time and league rules governing competitive integrity therefore require that he be permitted to play."

Brian Windhorst of ESPN reported the Pelicans would be subject to a fine of $100,000 per game if Davis didn't play based on the league's rules that restrict sitting healthy players.

The Pelicans previously announced Davis would play the rest of the season, noting they wanted to "preserve the integrity of the game" as one reason:

The All-Star center had requested a trade at the end of January but remained with the Pelicans after the deadline. The possibility remains he could be dealt in the offseason, though, and any injury sustained over the next few months would lower his value.

New Orleans is also unlikely to compete for a playoff spot with a 25-32 record entering Monday.

Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN reported the team considered benching Davis for the rest of the season but instead decided to let him play.

The 25-year-old had been sidelined due to a finger injury leading up to the deadline, but he played 25 minutes in his return Friday and then 34 minutes one day later.

It appears as though he will be a consistent force in the lineup for the rest of the year, removing any questions about potential fines from the NBA.